Cabinet Resignation May Doom Britain's Starmer

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer's precarious political situation just became even more precarious. Health Secretary Wes Streeting resigned on Thursday, becoming the first Cabinet minister to abandon the embattled prime minister, reports Bloomberg. In a resignation letter posted online, Streeting said he's "lost confidence" in Starmer's leadership, accusing him of offering "a vacuum" where vision is needed and "drift" where direction is required. Read the letter at the BBC. Streeting stopped short of launching a formal leadership bid but told Starmer that it's now "clear" he will not lead Labour into the next general election.

Streeting called for a "battle of ideas" and a wide field of contenders in any future race. Former deputy PM Angela Rayner, who says she has now resolved the tax issue that prompted her own resignation last year, is also weighing a run and has urged Starmer to "reflect on" his position. Starmer is under mounting pressure after heavy losses in local and regional elections, with more than 80 Labour MPs pushing him to set an exit timetable—though more than 100 others have signed a letter warning this is "no time" for a contest. Any challenger needs backing from at least 81 Labour lawmakers to get on the ballot.